eres Berlin Aggrieved London, Sept, 20.
First and foremost among European considerations to-day is the attitude Germany will take as a result of Britain's statement yes-"terday on the Reich demand for arms equality. The dominant impression is that no immediate mo-edification in the German stand will take place. This depends, also, on the situation at Geneva where the "German demand will be considered by the Disarmament Conference.
Another interesting opinion that is finding expression is the view that if Britain had not delayed her Statement until Friday last, it '-might' have had some influence on Germany's decision not to be represented further at Geneva. Britain's note itself, however, was generally well received in British circles.
Yesterday the Manchester Chamber of Commerce adopted a resolution approving the note and asks the government to exert all efforts -.40 achieve disarmament. and inter-
Berlin, Sept. 19.
"Reaction in Germany to Great Britain's memorandum on the German; appeal for equality in armaments, is generally one of disap-.-pointment. The Germans undoubted-Jy expected that the memorandum would be more conciliatory in offering mediation.
President von Hindenburg this morning received Chancellor von Papen's report and the views of the Cabinet on the British memorandum. A government spokesman said that "it goes without saying that Germany cannot accept the British reasoning that Germany without a compelling reason, has raised a _political issue of vast implications. The unfriendly form in which the charge is couched that we proceeded in a manner calculated to disturb the harmony of nations, is unjustified. The question is forced into discussion because of the character.of the Disarmament Conference."—- Reuter.
Rome, Sept. 19.
Despite Italy's support of Germany's demands, on further examination, the British statement was received more favourably by well -informed persons. It is felt that the memorandum opens the door to negotiations which may lead to a solution acceptable to all parties.—Reuter.
Geneva, Sept. 21.
The Bureau of the Disarmament Conference met to-day after the recent recess and it was immediately faced with the major problem of Germany's demand for equality, but it was decided to postpone the discussion on the matter until Germany had replied to the letter of Mr. Arthur Henderson, Chairman of the Conference.
Mr. Henderson in his letter ex-~- pressed regret at the fact that Germany would not be represented at the meeting of the Bureau and asked the German Government to reconsider its decision, as the prolonged absence of Germany might seri-BR: ously affect the cause of general disarmament.—Reuter.
Sept. 21.
The German delegates were absent when the Steering Committee met at 11.30 o'clock this morning, apparently adhering to their intention to abstain from participation as a protest against rejection of their demand for armaments equality.—United Press.
London, Sept. 21.
The Washington correspondent of "The Times" states that the British Aide Memoire with regard to Germany and Disarmament has been sympathetically received by United States officials. They point out that the American Government would regret any move towards an increase in armaments, The Aide Memoire has aroused interest in the visit of Senator Reed to London and Paris.
It is understood, that Senator Reed hinted. to M, Herriot yester-@ay that the United. States would support the French veto on the German claim to equality in armas ments in return for French support for the United States attitude with regard to the Far East.
The Senator is one of the present tadministration's staunchest supporters in the Senate. Should he, therefore, be induced to support the League in any form of pressure @gainst Japan the Senate might reasonably be supposed to follow him, Last year, it is pointed out in Washington, the correspondent goes on, United States ce-operation with the League respecting Manchuria was handicapped by the Senate's refusal to ce-operate.
Although Colonel Stimson, Secretary of State, has refrained from commenting on Senator Reed's mission, it is believed that the latter has been instructed to assure the]: British Government of Amarican support for the League in any decision it makes regarding Man-
Geneva, Sept, 21.
Regret at Germany's abstention from the Disarmament Conferecuce was voiced to-day's afternoon sess.on of the Conference's Steering Cuommittee i by Soviet Foreign Com-emissary, M. Litvinoff. Pointing to the empty chairs which in the preceding sessions were used by the German delegates, M. Litvinoff referred to their absence as "deplorable,"*adding that the Steering Committee could pave the way for the Reich's return by adopting a resolution in favour of Germany's parity claim, These words of the Soviet delegate, however, were the only reference to that matter, in accordance with Mr. Arthur Henderson's wish not to discuss it pending the receipt; of the German reply to his letter dated September 18.
After M. Litvinoff's speech, the Committee proceeded to discuss the agenda, the chief item of which was President Hoover's armament reduction scheme, which will be referred to a special commission. The agenda also provides for the fixation of the maximum strength of heavy artillery and tanks, and, finally, for a report on whether or not the naval Powers are willing to agree to further reductions of tonnage.
M. Herriot, the French Premier who had arrived here only this morning, in the evening departed again for Lyons. His brief stay in Geneva is surrounded with considerable mystery. According to British circles, the French Premier had only come to Geneva with the intention of advocating the widely-heralded investigation of Germany's, alleged secret armaments, but this move, it
ain, Stated, was blocked by Great Bri-
When questioned by pressmen prior to his departure, M. Herriot stated that he had come to Geneva in order to see whether something would happen, and that he was leaving because nothing had happened. This cryptic reference is also construed as an indirect confirmation of the rumours that M. Herriot had a long conversation with Baron von Neurath and that the latter refused to budge from the armament parity stand.—Trans-Ocean Kuo Min.
Sept. 21
Owing to persistent urgings of Mr. Arthur Henderson, Chairman of the Disarmament Conference, the meeting of the Bureau of the Corference to-day was a public one. This was the first time that a public meeting had been endorsed.
Germany's attitude was not discussed, although it is one of the most portentous questions now looning. The postponement of the discussion of Germany's absence from the meeting was in deference to Mr. Henderson's wishes, who considered that Germany should have. the opportunity of. answering his letter of September 18, in which he asked that Germany reconsider her decision to absent herself from further Disarmament discussions, During the proceedings of to-day's meeting Mr, Henderson declared that a crucial stage had been reached in the Conference, and urged: the delegates to start afresh on a new road, and also to remember that the fatal decision on which direction to take must lead either to peace or to a renewal of the mad competition of armaments, which in turn meant one thing—war.
M. Herriot, the French Premier, who came here specially from Paris for the meeting was not present as the question of Germany's attibide, the discussion of which was all-important to M. Herriot and the reason for his coming to Geneva, had by its postponement lost its aemnty. The Premier is returning to-night to Paris. He will return to Geneva on Monday for the Assembly.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.